Some small turbo swap Q's

realtripp

New Member
Mar 1, 2003
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Ft. Madison, IA
:D My engine for the Turbo swap is coming next week and I have a few related questions here. I had to get it bored .030 over and buy new pistons for it because there looked to be valve damage or burning on the old pistons.
Interesting note here, I talked to the machinist about the blowing of head gaskets that I have read so much about and he recommended machining the surface of both the head and block. He showed me some paper that is used to check the mating surfaces and how they could fit better. He said that even with a N/A head he can keep it arount 8.0:1 compression.

I read on some articles here about people trying the RR cam in their turbo engines, and I want to know How does it work? I am going to donate the bumpstick from my 91 to the engine and use the old TC stick in my 91 until the Turbo 90 is running. Will it simply be a matter of putting the cam and followers on my engine or are the valved different too. Or would it be a better idea to put the 90 slider cam on my 91? I have yet to see anything in the Tech articles about this.

Now about the wiring. The 90 swap is easier than a 91 swap because there are fewer wires to work on. The only factor here is having to fabricate a wiring for the VAM. The Instructions that I have say to disconnect the EGR for this process.

I do not want to disconnect the EGR because I might move to a state where they do emissions testing(NY). I do want to disconnect the AC because I like to roll down my windows. I thought I could use the existing wires that are used by the AC to wire the VAM. There are some in just about the right location and right length.

Just a few questions, I just thought that I might see if I have overlooked any great errors before actually doing this. Someone scream at me If I am going to blow myself up.

I also forgot to get the fuel pump off the TC, will my stock pump support this at all or should I wait until I find the pump.
 
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realtripp said:
I read on some articles here about people trying the RR cam in their turbo engines, and I want to know How does it work? I am going to donate the bumpstick from my 91 to the engine and use the old TC stick in my 91 until the Turbo 90 is running. Will it simply be a matter of putting the cam and followers on my engine or are the valved different too. Or would it be a better idea to put the 90 slider cam on my 91? I have yet to see anything in the Tech articles about this.

when you pull the slider cam and install it in your 91, keep the followers in order! Its a very good idea to put them on the lobe that they came off of! the Roller+followers your taking out of the 91 dont matter, they can be installed in any order, but make sure you swap springs aswell. just my .02 in this area. The turbo head is differnt from your n/a head , it has a differt cumbustion chamber (CC) which lowers compression ratios, it also has hardend exhuast seats and heat resistant (wont melt!) exhuast valves..so the only real swap stuff you want to do for the turbo head is ..
- Cam
-followers
-springs
Now about the wiring. The 90 swap is easier than a 91 swap because there are fewer wires to work on. The only factor here is having to fabricate a wiring for the VAM. The Instructions that I have say to disconnect the EGR for this process.

I do not want to disconnect the EGR because I might move to a state where they do emissions testing(NY). I do want to disconnect the AC because I like to roll down my windows. I thought I could use the existing wires that are used by the AC to wire the VAM. There are some in just about the right location and right length.
You will still have to rewire the EGR , no matter what you do. The turbo computer is pinned differntly for the egr, so your gonna hafta fiddle with it...how do i know, cuz im gonna be wiring in my egr soon for California smog.

I also forgot to get the fuel pump off the TC, will my stock pump support this at all or should I wait until I find the pump.

you can run on stock fuel pump (its the same pump that feeds a 215hp 5.0) just keep it in moderate boost until you get something bigger like a 255lph. Im not sure on the boost levels, but i wouldnt exceed 15psi myself with that pump.
 
realtripp said:
:D
Now about the wiring. The 90 swap is easier than a 91 swap because there are fewer wires to work on. The only factor here is having to fabricate a wiring for the VAM. The Instructions that I have say to disconnect the EGR for this process.

I do not want to disconnect the EGR because I might move to a state where they do emissions testing(NY). I do want to disconnect the AC because I like to roll down my windows. I thought I could use the existing wires that are used by the AC to wire the VAM. There are some in just about the right location and right length.

Just a few questions, I just thought that I might see if I have overlooked any great errors before actually doing this. Someone scream at me If I am going to blow myself up.

I also forgot to get the fuel pump off the TC, will my stock pump support this at all or should I wait until I find the pump.

You don't have to disable the EGR. I live in a tight Emmisions area. I did some research and found you can repin the EGR as well and still make it functional.

Here is a write up I started based on my 2.3T swap.

Turbo Swap Wiring Instructions 88-90 Mustang:
Note: You will see pin wire 46 mentioned throughout the steps below. This pin wire should never be removed or cut out. When instructed to T-in or splice into this wire simple connect the new wire to this existing wire using a piggy-back connector or similar connection. Several sensor share this wire to send signals back to the computer. The computer knows which sensor is sending the signal by the signal the sensor sends. Cutting the wire out will result in some sensors not being able to report back to the computer.

Map Sensor = The Turbo Coupe motor uses a BAP sensor (Barometric Absolute Pressure) to make corrections to the fuel and timing tables based on different altitudes, the Mustang uses a MAP sensor (Manifold Absolute Pressure) to perform this same function. The MAP sensor will work with the Turbo Coupe motor by simply unhooking the vacuum line that runs from the sensor to the manifold or vacuum tree. Thus allowing the MAP sensor to read outside barometric pressure instead of manifold pressure. Do not plug the MAP sensor vacuum port on the MAP sensor itself, only the manifold or vacuum tree port. Leaving the MAP sensor vacuum port open allows the sensor to read the outside barometric pressure instead of the manifold pressure it would normally if connected to the vacuum source on the manifold.

VAM Meter = The Turbo Coupe motor uses a Vane Air Meter (VAM) to calculate the amount of air entering the motor. The stock Mustang motor does not have VAM Meter. You will be using three of the wires that used to go to the EGR position sensor to connect the VAM. Locate the EGR position sensor plug (3 Wires - Orange/White, Black/White, Brown/Lt-Green) on the Mustang EEC engine bay harness. Cut the Orange w/White stripe wire (Pin Wire 26) from the EGR position plug and connect it to the VRef (Orange w/White stripe) wire from the VAM harness. Cut the Brown w/Light Green stripe wire (Pin Wire 27) from the EGR position plug and connect it to the VAF (White w/Black Stripe) wire from the VAM harness. Cut the Black w/White stripe wire (Pin Wire 46) from the EGR position plug and connect it to the VAM Signal Return (Black w/White stripe) wire from the VAM harness.
Move the Dark Green wire (Pin Wire 33) from the EGR Vent Solenoid on the Mustang Computer plug to pin 43. Locate the EGR vent solenoid plug (2 Wires - Red and Dark Green) in the engine bay and cut them from the EGR Vent sensor plug. Connect the Dark Green wire (Now Pin Wire 43) to the Vane Air Temp (Light Green/Purple) wire. Cap off remaining red wire to EGR Vent Solenoid.

EGR Control Valve = Although all of the other Turbo conversion web sites for Mustangs state to disable or remove the EGR. I suggest re-pinning the wires on the EEC, using the stock Turbo Coupe EGR valve and hooking up the EGR as it was on the Turbo Coupe motor originally. The Turbo Coupe EGR sensor only needs one sensor hooked up (EGR Control) as opposed to the Mustang EGR system which uses three sensors (EGR Vent, EGR Control, EGR Position). You will basically be dumping two of the sensors (EGR Vent , EGR Position) which the Turbo Coupe computer does not have provisions for anyway. Click here for a diagram of the EGR Control Solenoid connection. This step can be omitted if you wish not to use the EGR control solenoid.
Move EGR Control Solenoid (Pin Wire 52) Yellow wire to pin 33 on the Mustang computer harness plug.

Premium Fuel Switch = The Turbo Coupe computer has a provision for a premium fuel switch which allows the driver to use different timing and fuel curves depending on the octane rating of the fuel being used. Most will say to just wire this so that it is always in premium mode but I like the advantage of being able to run lower octane fuel if I choose. Click here for a diagram on wiring in a premium fuel switch. Mount a toggle switch or equivalent switch some where on or in the dash or console. Locate the Green w/Purple stripe wire (Pin Wire 24) at the computer. This is the AC idle adjustment wire which is triggered off the AC system. Cut the wire from the computer plug about 5 inches up. Cap end of the wire left in the harness as to not short anything. The signal for this wires comes from the AC not the computer. Connect a new wire onto the 5" wire at the computer harness plug and run it to one side of the switch you installed. Run a new wire from the other side of the toggle switch and connect it to (Pin Wire 46) Black w/White stripe on the Mustang computer harness. Note: Do not cut pin wire 46, simply T-in or splice in the new wire.
Note: If you wish to connect the Premium fuel switch so that it is always set "On" simply run connect the end of the 5" wire to Pin Wire 46. Make sure you t-in or splice into pin wire 46, do not cut or remove pin wire 46.

Optional Stock Electronic Boost Controller = The Turbo Coupe computer is equipped with a electronic boost controller valve. It is recommended that you upgrade to a manual boost value for higher boost pressure but if you wish to retain the stock electronic boost controller valve follow the below instructions. Run the Pink w/Black stripe wire from the boost controller valve to Pin wire 31. Splice in the Red wire from the boost controller valve to pin wires 37 and/or 57. This is the Red wire that was capped off when hooking up the VAM meter which was from the EGR vent solenoid. Do not remove pin wire 37 or 57. T-in or splice in to the existing connection.
 
Sorry forgot to add I created a new wiring diagram for the elcetrical part showing the before and after. I can email it to you if you want. I also have a vacuum diagram as well.

Mike
 
Thanks for this, I will keep it all in mind. The boost pressure is not a big deal, I already told myself that I wont run more than 15lbs. without an intercooler anyways.

Looking at some wiring diagrams, I saw that there is little differece between a PC1 (which I have) and an LA3, except for some extra stuff on the LA3 computer. The LA series computers are for manuals right?